First Baptist Church in Ottawa welcomes new pastor

The First Baptist Church of Ottawa will welcome France Marcott as its new pastor.

Marcott and her husband, LeRoy, are from Laramie, Wyo. Marcott is originally from Laramie and met her husband in his hometown of Chicago.

For the past several years she has worked as an interim minister. Her husband worked for more than 40 years as an electrician. Both of their careers have given them the opportunity to live far and wide: Las Vegas, Nev.; Cordova Ark.; Cleveland Tenn.; Berkeley, Calif.; Billings, Mont.; and most recently, rural Vermont.

Having decided to take a settled pastorate at a local church instead of continuing with interim work, they had one more reason to be delighted to be called to Ottawa — a grown daughter and three grandchildren, all of whom live in the Chicagoland area. (Another daughter lives in Manhattan.)

Marcott received her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, and her Master of Divinity at the American Baptist Seminary of the West in Berkeley. Both Marcott and her husband have a strong interest in music; both sing and have frequently led worship music in various churches. In addition, Marcott is an author and has edited eight books.

Bringing to this position a breadth of experience in American Baptist churches all over the country, Marcott said she is excited to make a connection with this community. The church will formally install her as pastor at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4, in an installation service followed by a reception. The public is welcome.